Meaning of shy bairns get nowt | Babel Free

Definitions

If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.

Geordie

Examples

“A' forgot te ask 'er fo' me money back! Wye, shy bairns get nowt.”

“Aye, Mary, we heard you. How could we not? Ah well, shy bairns get nowt. Will we let her at the microphone and give me a bit peace?”

“Ask questions, enquire, and push for more information and care. As the saying goes in the north-east, ‘shy bairns get nowt’! Know your rights and what you are entitled to by pushing and not taking no for an answer.”

“An old Geordie saying says: ‘Shy bairns get nowt!’ It literally means ‘shy children get nothing’, but is used to emphasise that people should speak up for themselves. I think that this saying applies to leaders.”

CEFR level